Method and apparatus for providing help information in multiple formats

ABSTRACT

A system and method that provides help information pertaining a process entity, such as a process device, in a number of different formats presents a first display template that enables a user to request the help information in a first format such as a DDHelp format and presents a second template in response to selection of the first template by the user wherein the second template includes the help information in the first format. The system and method then present a third graphical template that enables a user to request the help information in a second format, such as a WinHelp format and present a fourth template in response to selection of the third template by the user wherein the fourth template includes the help information in the second format.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent relates generally to computer software, and moreparticularly, to computer software used in asset management systems toprovide help information.

BACKGROUND

Process plants, like those used in chemical, petroleum or otherprocesses, typically include one or more centralized or decentralizedprocess controllers communicatively coupled to at least one host oroperator workstation and to one or more process control andinstrumentation devices, such as field devices, via analog, digital orcombined analog/digital buses. Field devices, which may be, for examplevalves, valve positioners, switches, transmitters, and sensors (e.g.,temperature, pressure and flow rate sensors), perform functions withinthe process such as opening or closing valves and measuring processparameters. While a typical process plant has many process control andinstrumentation devices, such as valves, transmitters, sensors, etc.connected to one or more process controllers which execute software thatcontrols these devices during the operation of the process, there aremany other supporting devices which are also necessary for or related toprocess operation.

Still further, many process plants have other computers associatedtherewith which execute applications related to business functions ormaintenance functions. Many process plants, and especially those whichuse smart field devices, use asset management applications to helpmonitor, track, and maintain the devices within the plant regardless ofwhether these devices are process control and instrumentation devices orare other types of devices. For example, an Asset Management Solutions(AMS) application sold by Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. enablescommunication with and stores data pertaining to field devices toascertain and track the operating state of various field devices. Anexample of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,214entitled “Integrated Communication Network for use in a Field DeviceManagement System.”

Maintenance personnel who are primarily responsible for ensuring thatthe actual equipment within the process is operating efficiently and forrepairing and replacing malfunctioning equipment, use tools such asmaintenance interfaces, the AMS application discussed above, and manyother diagnostic tools which provide information about operating statesof the devices within the process. To maintain information about variousfield devices in a process control system, the AMS application maintainsa database of information about a number of devices. Generally, variousdevices used in a process control system can be expected to bemanufactured by a number of different manufacturers. It is quite likelythat not all of the devices communicate with each other or with theprocess control devices in the same manner. To overcome the problem ofincompatibility among devices manufactured by different manufacturers,the process instrumentation industry uses a standardized digital devicecommunications protocol as defined by a foundation such as the HARTFoundation, or the Fieldbus Foundation in order to allow a singleapplication to communicate with multiple device types. Typically, thesefoundations will have a standard that defines how each device identifiesitself to a process control system using a standard communicationprotocol and a device description (DD), where the DD defines theprotocol's application layer and various user interface definitionsnecessary to communicate with the device. Each device type wouldtypically have its own DD, which is a formal description of the data andoperating procedures for a field device, including variables, methods,commands, menus and display formats associated with the device.Information about every accessible variable of the device is included inthe DD. Such variables include, for example, process measurements, anyderived values, and all the internal parameters such as range, sensortype, choice of linearization, materials of construction, etc.

When the AMS application is implemented in a process plant that usessuch a device, the maintenance personal responsible for maintaining upto date device related information may need to get help informationabout various parameters used to describe such a device. Systemdesigners using the AMS software, the 375 Communicator or the HARTcommunicator may use a DD to gain further information about a device. Asper the FOUNDATION Fieldbus' or the HART Communication Foundation's DDLanguage, all HART devices have the option to include DD help text toexplain each parameter, method, etc., defined for a specific device.Such DD help text can be displayed on applications such as 275 HARTCommunicator, AMS, etc. However, not all device manufacturers provide DDhelp for all parameters, and if they do, this help information isgenerally not very descriptive. Moreover, DD help provided by a devicemanufacturer is limited to text information only, i.e., it does notinclude images, sound, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present patent is illustrated by way of examples and not limitationsin the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similarelements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example computer which may be used toprovide help information to a 'user in different formats;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example program to provide helpinformation to a user in different formats;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example program to providehelp information to a user in different formats;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a help information selectiontemplate;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of a template displaying helpinformation about a device in a DDHelp format;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of an alternate template displayinginformation about a device in a DDHelp format;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of a template displaying informationabout a device in a WinHelp format;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a data network adapted to implement theexample program of FIG. 2 to provide help information to a user indifferent formats;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a network computer adapted to implement theexample program of FIG. 2 to provide help information to a user indifferent formats; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computing facility adapted to implementthe example program of FIG. 2 to provide help information to a user indifferent formats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES

A system enables a user to get help information regarding a devicedescription (DD) in a number of different formats. In a preferredembodiment, a system providing help information in a DDHelp format alsoallows a user to receive help information in alternate formats, such asWinHelp format, etc. In this embodiment, a system using the DDHelpformat provides a user with an option to get help information in analternate format. The user can select this option by clicking orselecting a button provided with the help information displayed inDDHelp format. When a user selects such a button, the system searchesvarious alternate formats available for providing help information. Ifan alternate format of providing help information is found, an alternatemethod of providing help information using such an alternate format isactivated. Help information provided by such an alternate format mayalso include multimedia content, such as images, audio and video.

Generally, computers using any of the Microsoft Windows® family ofoperating systems have an executable file named Winhelp.exe as a part ofsuch an operating system. Winhelp.exe allows an application running onsuch a computer to display help information to a user in a WinHelpformat. Software applications, such as AMS, use another file namedDDHelp.exe to provide help information in a DD format. Enabling asoftware application using DDHelp.exe to provide help information to auser with Winhelp.exe thereby allows that application to provide helpinformation to a user in more than one format. Moreover, allowing theWinHelp.exe to be executed from a template provided by the DDHelp.exeallows a user to easily access help information in more than one formatfrom a single location.

Referring now specifically to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is ablock diagram of an example computer 100. As used herein, the term“computer” refers to any computer (e.g. portable computer, laptopcomputer, PDA, desktop computer, server, etc.) that employs any type ofsoftware to provide help information. The computer 100 of the instantexample includes many conventional hardware components commonly used incomputers. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the computer 100 includes acentral processing unit (CPU) 102, a read only memory (ROM) 104, arandom access memory (RAM) 106, a communications bus 110, a storagedevice 112, a power supply 114 and an input/output (I/O) controller 116.Even though the instant example of the computer 100 shows thesecomponents internal to the computer, a person of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that some of these components can be external to thecomputer 100.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example help program 120 toprovide help information to a user in different formats. Such a program120 may be written in any desired programming language including, forexample, assembly language. The program 120 may be stored in the ROM104, RAM 106 or the storage device 112 of the example computer 100 ofFIG. 1 and is adapted to be executed on the processor 102 of FIG. 1. Ablock 122 presents a user with a device information template displayinginformation about various parameters of a device. An example of such adevice information template is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5. A block 124of the help program 120 of FIG. 2 enables a user to initiate the helpprogram 120 by clicking on a parameter within the device informationtemplate.

A block 126 causes the help program 120 to determine if there is aWinHelp file available within the computer 100 for a device relating tothe device information template presented by the block 122. If such aWinHelp file is available, a block 128 determines if the parameterselected by the user at the block 124 has a WinHelp topic defined withinthe computer 100. If no WinHelp topic is defined for such a parameter, ablock 130, displays help information in a DDHelp format by presenting aDDHelp window. Typically, the help program 120 may use a DDHelp.exefile, which may be available on the computer 100, to display the helpinformation in the DDHelp format. However, DDHelp is optional, i.e.,various parameters, variables and methods within a DD may or may nothave an associated DDHelp.

After the block 120 displays the help information in DDHelp format, ablock 132 waits for a further input from the user. If the user clicks amouse or a key on a keyboard attached to the computer 100 to providesuch an input, a block 136 closes the DDHelp window.

If, at the block 128, the help program 120 determines that the parameterselected by the user at the block 124 has a WinHelp topic defined withinthe computer 100, a block 140 displays help information in a DDHelpformat, where such help information includes a “More” button.Subsequently, a block 142 waits for an input from the user. When a block144 determines that the user has clicked on the appropriate mouse buttonor a key on the keyboard attached to the computer 100, a block 146determines whether the user selected the “More” button. If the block 146determines that the user has selected the “More” button, a block 148,displays a help information template in the WinHelp format. If not, theblock 136 closes the DDHelp window.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an alternate example help program 150to provide help information to a user in different formats. Such aprogram 150 may be written in any desired programming languageincluding, for example, assembly language. The help program 150 may bestored in the ROM 104, RAM 106 or the storage device 112 of the examplecomputer 100 of FIG. 1 and is adapted to be executed on the processor102 of FIG. 1.

A block 151 presents a user with a device information templatedisplaying information about various parameters of a device. An exampleof such a device information template is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5. Ablock 152 of the help program 150 enables a user to request the helpinformation about a parameter of a device by clicking on the parameterwithin the device information template.

A block 153 causes the help program 150 to present a user with a helpformat selection template 154 that allows the user to select a formatused to display the help information. An example of such a help formatselection template 154 is illustrated in FIG. 4. A block 155 of the helpprogram 150 enables a user to cause the help program 120 to display thehelp information in a desired format by clicking on a parameter withinthe help format selection template 154.

A block 156 causes the help program 150 to determine if the helpinformation is available within the computer 100 in a format selected bythe user. If the help information is available in the format selected bythe user, a block 157 displays help information in a format selected bythe user.

If, at the block 156, the help program 150 determines that the helpinformation is not available within the computer 100 in a formatselected by the user, the help program 150 returns to block 153 andpresents the help format-selection template 154 to the user.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of the help format selectiontemplate 154 presented by the block 153 of the help program 150. Thehelp format selection template 154 of FIG. 4 may be designed using, forexample, graphical user interface (GUI) technology. The help formatselection template 154 presents a number of selection buttons 161, 162,etc., to a user to allow a user to select a format for the helpinformation. For example a user can select the button 161 to selectDDHelp format for the help information. While the help format selectiontemplate 154 shown in FIG. 4 includes only two choices for selecting aformat for help information, in an alternate implementation more choicesmay be provided.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of a device information template 170along with a DDHelp template 175 displaying help information about adevice in a DDHelp format as provided by, for example, the block 130 ofFIG. 2. A user can invoke the DDHelp template 175 by clicking on aparameter within the device information template 170. In an alternateembodiment, a user can invoke the DDHelp template 175 by putting focuson a parameter within the device information template 170 and thenpressing a help button and/or a function key on a keyboard. The DDHelptemplate 175 shows help information about a device or a deviceparameter. For example, the exemplary device information template 170 ofFIG. 3 displays information about various parameters of a given deviceand the DDHelp template 175 provides help information about a deviceparameter pH slope. A user can click on other parameters listed in thedevice information template 170 to obtain help information about otherparameters of a device. For example, if a user clicks on the “pH LRV”within the device information template 170, the DDHelp template 175 willgive help information about the pH log reduction value of the device.While the information contained in the DDHelp template 175 may beobtained from the ROM 104, the RAM 106 or the storage device 112 of thecomputer 100, in an alternate format, such help information may beobtained from any other computer within a network of computers.Functioning of such a network of computers is further described withrespect to FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of the device information template170 and an alternate form of the DDHelp template 175 displayinginformation about a device in a DDHelp format as provided by, forexample, the block 140 of FIG. 2. The template 175 as shown in FIG. 4includes help information about a device or a device parameter in theDDHelp format similar to that shown in FIG. 3. However, the DDHelptemplate 175 as shown in FIG. 4 also includes a “More” button 180 that auser can select to get additional help information in an alternateformat other than in DDHelp format. While in this particular embodimentof the system, the DDHelp template 175 shows a “More” button 180 toreceive a user's input to get help information in an additional format,in an alternate embodiment, this button may display another text orgraphic. An example of such an alternate text may be, for example,“Additional Help,” “Alternate Help,” etc.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of the device information template170 and an exemplary WinHelp template 190 displaying information about adevice in a WinHelp format. A user can invoke the WinHelp template 190by clicking on the “More” button 180 illustrated in FIG. 4. Even thoughthe template 190, as depicted in FIG. 7, illustrates help information ina text format, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that atemplate showing help information in the WinHelp format can be modifiedto show help information in an alternate format such as an audio file,an image file, a video file, etc. For example, in one embodiment, theWinHelp template 190 may have a button allowing a user to play an audioor a video file providing help information about a device parameter. Inyet another alternative embodiment, the WinHelp template 190 may have agraphical design explaining a particular characteristic of a deviceparameter. While the information contained in the WinHelp template 190may be obtained from the ROM 104, the RAM 106 or the storage device 112of the computer 100, in an alternate format, such help information maybe obtained from any other computer within a network of computers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a data network 300 adapted toimplement the help program 120 of FIG. 2 to provide help information toa user in different formats. Specifically, the data network 300 of FIG.8 includes a first group of computing facilities 302 adapted toimplement the program 120 to provide help information to one or moreusers in different formats. FIG. 8 illustrates the data network 300 asincluding a first group of computing facilities 302 operatively coupledto a network computer 304 via a network 306. The plurality of computingfacilities 302 may be located, by way of example rather than limitation,in separate geographic locations, in different parts of a process plant,in different areas of the same city, or in different states. The network306 may be provided using a wide variety of techniques well known tothose skilled in the art for the transfer of electronic data. Forexample, the network 306 may comprise dedicated access lines, standardtelephone lines, satellite links, the world wide web, etc., or acombination of these devices. Additionally, the network 306 may includea plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), eachof which may be operatively interconnected in any known or desiredmanner. Where the network 306 comprises the Internet, data communicationmay take place over the network 306 via an Internet communicationprotocol.

The network computer 304 may be a server computer of the type commonlyemployed in networking solutions and may be used to accumulate, analyze,and download data provided by each of the computing facilities 302. Forexample, the network computer 304 may periodically receive data fromeach of the computing facilities 302 indicative of informationpertaining to various parameters of various devices, various types ofhelp information available for each of these devices, etc. The computingfacilities 302 may include one or more facility servers 308 that may beutilized to store help information about a plurality of devices, deviceparameters, etc., associated with each facility. Moreover, suchinformation may be stored in different formats, such as in audioinformation files, video information files, etc.

Although the data network 300 is shown to include one network computer304 and three computing facilities 302, it should be understood thatdifferent numbers of computers 304 and computing facilities 302 may beutilized. For example, the network 306 may include a plurality ofnetwork computers 304 and dozens of computing facilities 302, all ofwhich may be interconnected via the network 306. Such a configurationmay provide several advantages, such as, for example, enabling near realtime uploads and downloads of help information as well as periodicuploads and downloads of help information.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a network computer adapted to implement thehelp program 120 of FIG. 2 to provide help information to a user indifferent formats. Specifically, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of onepossible embodiment of the network computer 304 of in FIG. 8 having acontroller 402 that is operatively connected to a central database 404via a link 406. It should be noted that, while not shown, additionaldatabases may be linked to the controller 402 in any known manner.

The controller 402 may include a program memory 408, a microcontrolleror a microprocessor (MP) 410, a random-access memory (RAM) 412, and aninput/output (I/O) circuit 414, all of which may be interconnected viaan address/data bus 416. It should be appreciated that although only onemicroprocessor 410 is shown, the controller 402 may include multiplemicroprocessors 410. Similarly, the controller 402 may include multipleRAMs 412 and multiple program memories 408. Although the I/O circuit 414is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/Ocircuit 414 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. TheRAM(s) 412 and programs memories 408 may be implemented as semiconductormemories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readablememories, for example. The controller 402 may also be operativelyconnected to the network 306 via a communication link 418.

If desired, the help program 120 may be implemented in the programmemory 408 and adapted to operate on the microprocessor 410. In yetanother embodiment, the help information such as that displayed on thetemplates 170, 180 and 190 of FIGS. 3-5 may be stored in part or fullyon the RAM 412 of the network computer 304. If desired, at least some ofthe help information displayed in the templates 170, 180 and 190 may bestored in the central database 404.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of one possible embodiment of severalcomponents located in one or more of the computing facilities 302 fromFIG. 8. In particular, the computing facilities 302 of FIG. 10 includesa facility server 308, which includes a controller 502, and which isoperatively connected to a plurality of client device terminals 504 viaa network 506. The network 506 may be a wide area network (WAN), a localarea network (LAN), or any other type of network readily known to thosepersons skilled in the art. The client device terminals 504 may also beoperatively connected to the network computer 304 from FIG. 10 via thenetwork 306.

Similar to the controller 402 of FIG. 9, the controller 502 may includea program memory 508, a microcontroller or a microprocessor (MP) 510, arandom-access memory (RAM) 512, and an input/output (I/O) circuit 514,all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus 516. Althoughonly one microprocessor 510 is shown in FIG. 10, the controller 502 mayinclude multiple microprocessors 510. Similarly, the memory of thecontroller 502 may include multiple RAMs 512 and multiple programsmemories 508. Although the I/O circuit 514 is shown as a single block,the I/O circuit 514 may include a number of different types of I/Ocircuits. Furthermore, the RAM(s) 512 and programs memories 508 may alsobe implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readablememories, optically readable memories, or any other desired type ofmemory.

The client device terminals 504 may include a display 518, a controller520 and a keyboard 522 as well as a variety of other input/outputdevices (not shown) such as a printer, a mouse, a touch screen, a trackpad, a track ball, an isopoint, a voice recognition system, etc. Eachclient device terminal 504 may be signed onto and occupied by acomputing employee to assist them in performing their duties. Computingemployees may sign onto a client device terminal 504 using anygenerically available technique, such as entering a user name andpassword. If a computing employee is required to sign onto a clientdevice terminal 504, this information may be passed via the link 506 tothe facility server 308, so that the controller 502 will be able toidentify which computing employees are signed onto the system and whichclient device terminals 504 the employees are signed onto.

Typically, the facility servers 308 store a plurality of files,programs, and other data for use by the client device terminals 504 andthe network computer 304. One facility server 308 may handle requestsfor data from a large number of client device terminals 504.Accordingly, each facility server 308 may include a high end computerwith a large storage capacity, one or more fast microprocessors, and oneor more high speed network connections. Conversely, relative to atypical facility server 308, each client device terminal 504 may includeless storage capacity, a single microprocessor, and a single networkconnection.

If desired, the help information to be displayed using one or more ofthe templates 170, 180, 190, etc. may be stored in the program memory508. Likewise the help program 120 may be stopped in part or in full onthe RAM(s) 512 of the computing facilities 302, and one or more of thehelp information templates 140, 160, 180, etc., may be presented to auser on one or more of the client device terminals 504. Moreover,whereas the help program 120 illustrated by the examples above provideshelp information in WinHelp and DDHelp formats, in an alternateembodiment, the help program 120 may also provide help information inother help formats in addition to or instead of WinHelp and DDHelpformats.

Although the forgoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerousdifferent embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that thelegal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims setforth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to beconstrued as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment of the invention because describing every possible embodimentwould be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternativeembodiments could be implemented, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this patent, which wouldstill fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.

Thus, many modifications and variations may be made in the techniquesand structures described and illustrated herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the methods and apparatus described herein areillustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

1. A method of providing help information about a process entity, theprocess entity including a first file defining data and operatingprocedures associated with at least one process entity parameter, thedata including a first help information in a first format, the firsthelp information describing the at least one process entity parameter,the method comprising: presenting a first template including the dataassociated with the at least one parameter and enabling a first inputrequesting the first help information in the first format from the firstfile, wherein the first format does not include a code within the firsthelp information to define a visual presentation characteristic of thefirst help information; receiving the first input; in response to thefirst input, presenting a second template containing the first helpinformation in the first format, determining if a second file containinga second help information in a second format is available, the secondhelp information further describing the at least one process entityparameter, and the second format includes at least one code within thesecond help information to define the visual presentation characteristicof the second help information, presenting a third template if thesecond help information in the second format is available, the thirdtemplate enabling a second input requesting the second help informationin the second format; and in response to the second input, presenting afourth template containing the second help information in the secondformat.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third template is a partof the second template.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstformat is a device description help (DDHelp) format.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second format is a Windows help (WinHelp) format.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fourth template provides the helpinformation in a graphic format.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thefourth template provides the help information in an audio format.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second template and the fourth templateprovide information regarding various parameters of the process entity.8. A method of providing help information about a process entity, theprocess entity including at least one parameter, the process entityfurther including a first file including data associated with the atleast one parameter and a first help information in a first format, themethod comprising: presenting a first template including the dataassociated with the at least one parameter and enabling a first inputrequesting the first help information in the first format; receiving thefirst input; presenting a second template in response to the firstinput, wherein the second template contains the first help informationin the first format; locating a second file including help informationin a second format; determining if the help information in the secondfile includes a second help information in the second format; augmentingthe second template with a selection entity if the second file includesthe second help information in the second format; receiving a secondinput via the selection entity, the second input requesting the secondhelp information in the second format wherein the first and second helpin formation describe the data of the at least one parameter; andpresenting a further template in response to the second input, whereinthe further template includes the second help information in the secondformat.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first format is a devicedescription help (DDHelp) format and the second format is a Windows help(WinHelp) format.
 10. An information system for providing help information about a plurality of process entities used in a process plant,the information system comprising: a processing unit; a computerreadable memory; first and second help information in respective firstand second formats stored on the computer readable memory, the first andsecond help in formation describing a common parameter of one of theplurality of process entities: a display; an input device adapted toreceive an input signal; and a software routine stored on the computerreadable memory which when executed on the processing unit: presents afirst template adapted to enable a first input requesting the first helpinformation in the first format, receives the first input, determines ifthe second help information in the second format is available on thecomputer readable memory; presents a second template in response to thefirst input, wherein the second template includes the help informationin the first format; augments the second template with a selectionentity which receives a second input requesting the second helpinformation in a second format if the second help information in thesecond format is available on the computer readable memory, receives thesecond input via the selection entity if the second help information inthe second format is available on the computer readable memory, andpresents a further template in response to the second input, wherein thefurther template includes the second help information in the secondformat.
 11. The information system of claim 10, wherein the first formatis a device description help (DDHelp) format and the second format is aWindows help (WinHelp) format.
 12. The information system of claim 10,wherein the software routine executes to present the first template, thesecond template, and the further template in a graphical user interface(GUI) format.
 13. A computer device for use in a process plantcontaining a plurality of devices, the computer device comprising acomputer program embodied on at least one computer readable memory andto be executed on a processing device, the computer program comprising:first software to present a first template including data for one of theplurality of devices, the template enabling a first input requesting afirst help information in a first format; second software to receive thefirst input; third software to present a second template in response tothe first input, wherein the second template contains the first helpinformation in the first format, the first help information describingthe data; fourth software to locate a second help information in asecond format, the second help information describing the data; fifthsoftware to present a third template if the second help information islocated by the fourth software, the fifth software enabling a secondinput requesting the second help information in the second format; andsixth software to present a fourth template in response to the secondinput, wherein the fourth template contains the second help informationin the second format; wherein the first and second help information doesnot diagnose a fault of the computer device.
 14. The computer program ofclaim 13, wherein the first format is a device description help (DDHelp)format and the second format is a Windows help (WinHelp) format.